ArubaSo many islands, so little time. With all the tropical paradises you could visit, why would you pick Aruba for your Caribbean vacation? Well, there's the reliably near-perfect weather. If you have only a week away from the job, why not guarantee yourself 7 days of ideal tanning conditions -- unwaveringly sunny skies, warm temperatures, and cooling breezes. And because the island's more of a desert than a rainforest, the humidity's low and it hardly ever rains. Hurricanes? Schmurricanes. There's rarely one within hundreds of miles. Aruba is far south of the tropical-storm belt. The BahamasTo find Tippy's, a beachside bistro on the string bean-shaped island of Eleuthera, zigzag across a minefield of potholes called Queen's Highway, loop past the eerie remains of an abandoned Club Med, and then ask the guy standing in the road for directions. He may very well be David Barlyn, the bistro's gregarious owner. Don't let his T-shirt and flip-flops fool you. Or, for that matter, the rickety shack with wooden benches. This is not some down-at-the-heels fish fry, but the epicenter of the island's emerging social whirl. NassauOne million visitors a year have cast their vote: They want to visit Nassau, adjoining Cable Beach, or Paradise Island. This is the center of all the action: the best shopping, the best entertainment, the most historic attractions - plus some of the best beaches in Nassau. Paradise IslandLocated just 180m (590 ft.) off the north shore of Nassau, Paradise Island is a favorite vacation spot for East Coast Americans, who flee their icy winters for the stunning white sands of Paradise Beach. In addition to its gorgeous beaches, the island boasts beautiful foliage, including brilliant red hibiscus and a grove of casuarina trees sweeping down to form a tropical arcade. » Paradise Island Travel Guide BermudaIn its prime, Bermuda, a British colony 774 miles southeast of New York, was the seasonal place to be for blue bloods from Tuxedo Park, Locust Valley, Greenwich and other tony enclaves along the Eastern Seaboard. And the island is still very much the insular preppy stomping ground of the moneyed coral-necklace set. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York owns a manicured estate here, as do Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister; Ross Perot, former presidential candidate; and several other Fortune 500 chieftains. Costa RicaCosta Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness. Dominican RepublicI WAKE up in my golden-yellow Oscar de la Renta-decorated, $650-a-night villa, throw off the 350-thread-count sheets, and pad over to open the balcony doors. In floods the Caribbean sunlight, nothing but a long-fronded palm and a patch of manicured grass between me and the sugary sand beach, which gives way to water a shade of aquamarine that I thought had existed only in Crayola boxes. It's as if I had woken up in a travel brochure ... or a Corona commercial. But really, it's just morning in Tortuga Bay, the new luxury resort on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. » Dominican Republic Travel Guide BarahonaThe Kingsway Tour's tourist destination with the greatest biodiversity, the Barahona-Pedernales area of the country is the final frontier for local tourism development. These days, domestic travelers and international nature connoisseurs are the most frequent visitors. Juan DolioJuan Dolio and its neighbor beach town Guayacanes are for those who seek a couples or family restful vacation but like being able to take many excursions. If you are staying in Juan Dolio, you are equidistant from the culture, shopping and dining and nightlife of Juan Dolio, great beaches, scuba diving and other attractions in La Romana, and just half an hour away from busy Boca Chica. La RomanaThis tourist area comprised of La Romana, Casa de Campo, Dominicus and Bayahibe is an excellent choice for R & R vacations, honeymoons, family holidays, family reunions, teenagers, active travelers, scuba divers and golfers. If friends have raved to you about the Saona Island excursion, La Romana is the nearest point from which to embark on a trip to the islands of Saona and Catalina. Puerto PlataPuerto Plata is for those seeking an attractively-priced active vacation with the option of lots of places to visit in the vicinity. Puerto Plata's centrally located international airport is less than a 20-minute drive from most hotels. Choose Puerto Plata if you like to explore. Luperón, Maimón, Cofresí, Playa Dorada, Costa Dorada are the main tourism enclaves located near Puerto Plata city. Sosua and Cabarete are about half an hour away. Playa Dorada, 10 minutes to the east of Puerto Plata, concentrates the largest number of hotel rooms in the North. Punta CanaOn the easternmost tip of the island is Punta Cana, site of several major vacation developments with more scheduled to arrive in the near future. Known for its spectacular beaches and clear waters, Punta Cana is an escapist's dream. Its 32km (20 miles) of white sands, set against a backdrop of swaying palm trees, are unrivaled in the Caribbean, and that's the chief and perhaps only reason to come here. Santo DomingoSanto Domingo is the oldest city in the New World, where the settlement of all the Americas began. See the first cathedral, the first hospital. Wander down cobble stone streets among the Spanish colonial architecture and imagine how things were back in the 1600s. GuadeloupeGuadeloupe gives travelers a taste of France in the Tropics. In addition to its Gallic flair and fine Creole cuisine (among the best in the Caribbean), it offers some excellent beaches and mountainous, lush terrain full of gorgeous scenery. The resorts are not as spectacular and plush as those on, say, Anguilla or Jamaica, though there are some large beachfront properties, but you can have a real island experience at small inns where locally prepared food and tranquillity will be highlights of your stay. JamaicaThe easiest way of traveling into the past is to fly to Kingston, Jamaica, and drive north and east along jungly mountain roads to the town of Port Antonio, where — for better and for worse — it seems almost nothing has changed since the late 1960's. NegrilIn the early 1970's, Negril was a two-lane paved road that ran approximately 100 yards inland from two white coral sand beaches. There was a small village at the south end of this road, with little encampments of hippies enjoying the modest hospitality of the locals - and the endless supply of "herb". Others liked to lolligag about in an alcoholic fog since the rum was excellent quality, and very cheap. The swimming was fabulous. The only concern was the sea urchins which were like nasty underwater porcupines. They don't move, and they're easy to see. There were endless buffet-style meals for only a few dollars, curry goat, lobster (cray fish), and jerk pork. Ocho RiosIn the town of Ocho Rios, there is a large open-air marketplace with about 150-200 stalls where local crafts are sold. It's within very easy walking distance of the Renaissance Grande hotel and rather hard to miss. This is a great place to wander, but be prepared before you go as in any similar market: leave all of your belongings behind and take only the amount of money you intend to spend, no more. And keep half of that in your pocket. There is some absolutely gorgeous craftsmanship there, but once it becomes known that you have a significant amount of money you will find it difficult to execute a transaction effectively with your chosen vendor. Practice your haggling skills before you go! Puerto RicoWhat is Puerto Rico? Is it part of the United States is it a country? Not many people really know. It is a bit confusing: technically Puerto Rico it is a territory of the USA, but it is not one of the states. The spirit of the Puerto Rico is very independent, however. San JuanPuerto Rico's capital city (pop. est. 500,000, 1.1 million in Metropolitan area) the Caribbean's commercial hub is an intriguing mixture of old and new. Start your tour in charming Old San Juan which is perched atop a hill on a small island facing the Atlantic Ocean. (Parking is limited so it's best to tour the area on foot.) This walled city—seven-square blocks of which are now a designated historic landmark—was founded in 1510. Today it is a showcase for four centuries of architectural treasures and the heart of the island's unique cultural identity. Great efforts have gone into preserving this part of the city including millions of dollars that were spent prior to 1993 when the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage was celebrated. PanamaPanama is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Latin America. Although nearby Costa Rica still takes most of the Central American incoming travelers, Panama is gaining the lime light as a premier destination for eco tourism, retirement and and for its cosmopolitan lifestyle. The greatest asset of Panama is its diversity of activities, which make it absolutely worth a visit. St. MartinThe smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years.
Mexican Travel DestinationsMexicoMexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south. Mexico's land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is divided into six tourist regions. AcapulcoYou've got to give Acapulco credit for staying power. After falling out of favor with the international jet set, this not-so-hot spot is heating up again. Its high-rise hotels are being restored to their former grandeur, its restaurants are getting noticed by the critics, its famous nightlife scene is jumping again, and its pollution-plagued beaches have been given a thorough scrubbing. Worlds more sophisticated than Cancún, Acapulco draws a wide range of people, though you're bound to find more party animals than fresh-faced families here. But most people who make their way to this undeniably beautiful bay spend their days lying around on colorful towels or napping in hammocks, a fruit-flavored drink nearby. For those who can rouse themselves to do some sightseeing, the marvelously preserved city of Taxco, 170 miles to the north, beckons. CampecheCampeche, the capital of the state of the same name, is the most thoroughly restored colonial city in Mexico. It's so well restored that, in some places, you can imagine that you've traveled back in time. The facades of all the houses in the old part of town have been repaired and painted, all electrical and telephone cables have been routed underground, and the streets have been paved to look cobbled. Several Mexican movie companies have taken advantage of the restoration to shoot period films here. CancunMexico's calling card to the world, Cancun perfectly showcases both the country's breathtaking natural beauty and the depth of its 1,000-year history. Simply stated, Cancun is the reason most people travel to Mexico. The sheer number of travelers underscores Cancun's magnetic appeal, with almost three million people visiting this enticing beach resort annually - most of them on their first trip to the country. The reasons for this are both numerous and obvious. CozumelCozumel has ranked for years among the top five dive destinations in the world. Tall reefs line the southwest coast, creating towering walls that offer divers a fairy-tale landscape to explore. For nondivers, it has the beautiful water of the Caribbean with all the accompanying watersports and seaside activities. The island gets a lot more visitors from North America than Europe for reasons that probably have to do with the limited flights. It is in many ways more "cozy and mellow" than the mainland -- no big highways, no big construction projects. It's dependable. And one of my favorite things about this island is that the water on the protected side (western shore) is as calm as an aquarium, unless a norther is blowing. The island is 45km (28 miles) long and 18km (11 miles) wide, and lies 19km (12 miles) from the mainland. Most of the terrain is flat and clothed in a low tropical forest. HuatulcoYou will love the clear waters found at any one of the bays. They are filled with fish so whether you put on the snorkel gear or gaze down from above you will see a great selection. Of the nine, Tangolunda and the Bay of Santa Cruz are the most popular. If you are searching for luxury, make your way to Tangolunda. The marina at the Bay of Santa Cruz is ideal for those wanting to climb aboard a boat tour. Entrega and Maguey and San Agustin are well known for their snorkeling and great seafood restaurants. Conejos has a beautiful white sand beach, as does Chahue. Other bays, such as Organo and Cacaluta are tucked away or are undeveloped making access to them quite difficult. IxtapaSide-by-side beach resorts, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo share geography, but they couldn't be more different in character. Ixtapa is a model of modern infrastructure, services, and luxury hotels, while Zihuatanejo - "Zihua" to the locals - is the quintessential Mexican beach village. For travelers, this offers the intriguing possibility of visiting two distinct destinations in one vacation. Those looking for luxury should opt for Ixtapa (eex-tah-pah). You can easily and quickly make the 6.5km (4-mile) trip into Zihuatanejo for a sampling of the simple life in a pueblo by the sea. Those who prefer a more rustic retreat with real personality should settle in Zihuatanejo (see-wah-tah-neh-hoh). It's known for its long-standing community of Swiss and Italian immigrants, and its legendary beach playboys. Los CabosLos Cabos, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula offers a variety of outdoor activities and fun things to do that will surely satisfy those looking for fun in the sun. Eco friendly ATV tours, pristine beaches to explore, boat cruises, dinner, snorkeling and sunset cruises, surf breaks, rock climbing, cycling, SCUBA diving, world-class Fishing, championship golf, hiking, horseback riding, off-road (Baja style) test drives, snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez, city tours and excursions, watersports and whale watching tours can all be found here Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Playa del CarmenOriginally named Xaman-Ha (waters of the north) Playa del Carmen is a living vibrant part of the Maya World (Mundo Maya). Located on the beautiful Mexicana Caribbean coast some 40 miles (60 kms.) south of Cancun, Playa , as it is now affectionately known, is the perfect base from which to explore the fascinating sites along the Cancun -Tulum Corridor of Quintana Roo ( now called Mayan Riviera ). Playa del Carmen is blessed with miles of unspoiled white sandy beaches and crystal-clear Caribbean waters that's proving harder and harder to find. It's a place for those in search of the real Caribbean. Experience Playa del Carmen and the endless adventures Mundo Maya has to offer. » Playa del Carmen Travel Guide Puerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta, Mexico - While every destination in Mexico has something to offer the visitor, romantic Puerto Vallarta has everything: beaches on a beautiful bay, great dining, accommodations for every budget, a variety of entertainment, art galleries, excellent shopping, world class golf and tennis, activities and excursions galore, and fun, fun, fun! And all of this in the atmosphere of a traditional Mexican village with cobblestone streets and friendly people against a background of exuberant tropical vegetation and the majestic Sierra Madre mountains. » Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide Riviera MayaJungle, flora and fauna, archaeological sites, solitary beaches, a turquoise-colored sea with crystal-clear water which turns to silver by moonlight, the fantasy and warmth of the tropics, the mystery of the millenary culture which lives on in the Maya people, are just some of the qualities which have turned the Riviera Maya into a destination which can compete favorably with all the rest of the Caribbean's tourist destinations. YucatanTravelling around the peninsula, the changes in landscape are hard to miss. In Yucatan state, the shallow, rocky earth gives rise to stunted trees - here, underground wells known as cenotes are the only source of water. At the opposite end of the scale, Campeche boasts a huge area of tropical forest , the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, though this is steadily shrinking with the growing demand for timber and land for cattle ranching. The entire peninsular coastline is great for spotting wildlife - notably turtles at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in Quintana Roo, and the flocks of flamingos at Celestún and Río Lagartos in Yucatan - but the most spectacular, white-sand beaches line the Caribbean coast, where magnificent offshore coral reefs form part of the second-largest barrier reef system in the world.
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Travel Destinations
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